Virginia Wesleyan College

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Topics: Congratulations 2007 Batten Professors | An interview with Dr. Timothy O'Rourke | Crossing Paths | Class of 2007! | Guaranteed Admission for Transfer Students | Get caught in the FishNet | Birdsong Community Service Leadership Award | Artisans Expo | Key to the Future Campaign | Green Matters

Congratulations 2007 Batten Professors

Honored for their excellence in teaching and scholarship, their contributions within the community and their passion for inspiring excellence in others, Virginia Wesleyan proudly recognizes a new class of Batten Professors.

Connie Bellamy, professor of English and director of American studies, holds a B.A. in philosophy from Antioch College and a doctorate in English from McGill University and was previously managing editor and associate editor of Fiction International magazine. Recently, she co-edited a volume entitled The Lost Saranac Interviews, which includes rediscovered conversations with significant American writers; and she is presently at work on The Plight of the Writer, based on a series of interviews with the director of the literature program of the National Endowment for the Arts. She has edited a number of volumes in a series highlighting excellence in student writing at Wesleyan. She is past president of the American Association of University Professors.

Lisa Carstens, associate professor of English and associate dean of inquiry-guided learning, earned her doctorate in English at the University of California, Irvine, and a B.A. in English and theater from Occidental College. Her research and teaching interests include Anglo-American Modernism, 19th- and 20th- century British literature, contemporary postcolonial fiction, women's and gender studies, critical theory and expository and creative writing. Recently she published essays on the literature of Virginia Woolf and William Styron and has presented numerous professional papers at national and international conferences. Carstens has previously served as coordinator of the English department, director of winter session and chair of the humanities division.

Doug Kennedy, professor and coordinator of the department of recreation and leisure studies, and associate dean for campus recreation, received a B.S. from the University of Delaware, M.S.Ed. from Southern Illinois University, and an Ed.D. from Temple University. He is a two-time recipient of the College's Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also received the Fellows Award from the Virginia Recreation and Park Society. He has served as president of the Virginia Recreation and Park Society, chair of the National Council on Accreditation, leadership of two educational delegations to Uzbekistan, and more than 100 presentations at conferences and symposia. He recently published History of Recreation and is currently writing an analysis of campus recreation.

Rita E. Frank, professor of psychology and chair of the committee on advancement and tenure, earned a M.A. and a Ph.D. in developmental psychology from the University of Maryland College Park, a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from Temple University, and a B.A. in English from The George Washington University. Two of her courses have been selected as national models by the Office of Teaching Resources in Psychology (Society for the Teaching of Psychology). Currently, she is collaborating on a review article that will challenge a key assumption of Solomon Asch's classic work on independence and conformity. Active in the Virginia Academy of Academic Psychologists for many years, she has served as treasurer and as president of the organization.

Maynard Schaus, associate professor of biology and special coordinator of undergraduate research, received his B.S. in biology from California Lutheran University and his Ph.D. in zoology from Miami University (Ohio). Schaus's research, in which he's involved students, on the role of fish in lake nutrient cycles has been published in several peer-reviewed journals. He is also involved with the campus green roof project, and has worked with students on applied ecology projects examining use of nest boxes by wood ducks and the use of highway undercrossings by mammals. Schaus has received grant funding from the St. Johns River Water Management District, the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation.

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An interview with Dr. Timothy O'Rourke New Vice President for Academic Affairs and Kenneth R. Perry Dean of the College

Originally from Tyrone, Pa., O'Rourke earned his B.A. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1970 with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and went on to get an M.A. in 1973 and his Ph.D. in political science in 1977, both from Duke University. O'Rourke comes to Virginia Wesleyan from the Fulton School of Liberal Arts at Salisbury University where he served as dean since 2002. He served as the professor and head of the department of political science at Clemson University from 1992- 1995 and then taught as the Teresa M. Fischer Professor in Citizenship Education, at the University of Missouri from 1995-2002.

You were previously the Dean of Fulton School of Liberal Arts at Salisbury University. Why did you choose to come to Virginia Wesleyan College?
"I chose Virginia Wesleyan because it's a small, high quality liberal arts school that wants to be great. I generally believe that smaller is better because of the opportunity it creates for students to interact with faculty. Secondly, it creates the opportunity for students to become involved in student life outside of the classroom.

"I also lived in Virginia for 14 years (Charlottesville), and I'm happy to return. I have two grandchildren living in Richmond, Va."

What attracted you to Virginia Wesleyan?
"Every institution has a singular and compelling strategic plan. Virginia Wesleyan's is great. It's clear on what it's trying to do."

What do you like about Virginia Wesleyan's strategic plan?
"I think Phi Beta Kappa speaks to the great liberal arts tradition, which is having students study across the disciplines to become renaissance citizens and preparing them for everything. Phi Beta Kappa also sets expectations in the liberal arts. A strong grounding in the liberal arts is preparation for a good ethical life and preparation for citizenship. We're training students to not just take part in society, but to lead it."

You were a political science professor for many years. How does that help you fulfill your responsibilities as a vice president?
"I think a dean and vice president is concerned primarily with the quality of teaching and the learning environment at the institution. The job is to support the faculty and make sure the students are getting the best education. In addition, the teaching experience I have is central to what I do."

"While I was the dean at Salisbury, I also taught political science. It was a good way to get to know the students, see what areas we needed to improve and plus, it's just fun. I hope to teach here."

What type of learning do you feel students should be getting outside of the classroom?
"Study, of course. I think all students should be involved in athletics of some type, whether collegiate or intramural. They should be involved in the arts – if not as a performer than as a partaker; and develop a taste for art. Students should engage in the civic life of campus and the larger community such as politics, private associations, church, etc.…I see this learning as training for leadership."

As vice president of academic affairs, what are some of your goals or hopes for Virginia Wesleyan?
"I would like to build a connection between students and the community such as civic organizations and the governmental bodies."

What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I'm a runner. I usually run about four to five times a week. I'm also a folk musician and play the guitar and banjo.

"And I watch a lot of baseball, I confess."

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Crossing Paths

2007 graduates Christa Mercer and Lyndsie Kidd will room together and study the same curriculum at Duke University.

Life can be ironic, especially for two Virginia Wesleyan graduates who are attending Duke University this fall.

This is just the beginning of a tale that intertwines the two alumnae of the College.

Not having previously known each other, Mercer and Kidd first met in 2003 at Virginia Wesleyan. For the first two years, the duo roomed together, took the same classes in the religious studies program and shared the same professors.

Four years later, they each graduated from Wesleyan, both majoring in religious studies, and were accepted into Duke University in the Masters of Divinity Program.

Their paths are similar, yet distinct. They share a common bond when they say they were called to ministry during their adolescent years of life.

"I've always wanted to go to Duke University since I can remember," said Mercer. "At the age of 14, I received a calling to ministry."

Kidd mirrors Mercer's youth experience, saying ministry became her career path during her senior year of high school. "And I've been pursuing that calling ever since," she said.

During four years at Virginia Wesleyan, Kidd and Mercer were at the top of their class, graduating summa cum laude and cum laude respectively. The two also worked in a church atmosphere during school to gain real-world experience. Mercer worked in the children's ministry at her church where her father is the minister; and Kidd completed an internship at Spring Branch Community Church to fulfill her requirement as a double major in recreation and leisure studies.

"The combination of these two majors was perfect in beginning my preparation for student ministry," said Kidd.

"I had the chance to complete an internship where I got to apply everything I learned in my undergraduate classes into a real life experience. The internship also helped me fill in the gaps where classroom learning couldn't," she noted.

Mercer also credits the combination of academia and hands-on training with preparing her for her future in ministry.

"I'm excited about ministry and being able to work with the entire congregation as a whole," said Mercer. "I've spent time with the children's ministry in church and now I want to experience the entire congregation."

Kidd says she too is "really excited about going to Duke Divinity in the fall to further my education and prepare for the ministry."

And just like undergraduate studies, the two will once again share a room, the same curriculum and professors. "It's great because we already know we can live together," Mercer quipped.

The future for Kidd and Mercer couldn't be better, or more ironic.

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Class of 2007! Congratulations

Virginia Wesleyan held its thirty-eighth annual commencement ceremony on May 13, celebrating with about 250 graduates.

Mr. R. James Woolsey, Jr., former director of the Central Intelligence Agency and vice president for Booz Allen Hamilton, addressed the Class of 2007.Woolsey and Dr.D. Henry Watts, former chair of the Virginia Wesleyan Board of Trustees, co-chair of the Key to the Future Campaign and retired vice chairman of the Norfolk Southern Corporation, each received honorary degrees.

Dr. Bill Ruehlmann, professor of communications/journalism, was awarded the 2007 Samuel Nelson Gray Distinguished Teaching Award.

Dr. Larry Hultgren, Batten Professor of Philosophy,was awarded the 2007 Frank and Jane P. Batten Distinguished Scholar Award.

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Guaranteed Admission for Transfer Students

Virginia Wesleyan College has signed a statewide guaranteed admission agreement with the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) that will promote transfer and ease transition to the College for Virginia community college graduates.

The guaranteed admission agreement allows community college students who complete an associate's degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher to transfer to Virginia Wesleyan with junior standing.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for community college students to transfer seamlessly to one of the nation's best liberal arts institutions," said Virginia Wesleyan President Billy Greer. "Virginia Wesleyan is proud to be part of a partnership that makes higher education more accessible to a broader population of Virginians."

To be eligible for guaranteed admission, students must complete a transfer oriented associate's degree, and must have declared intent to transfer to Virginia Wesleyan. Students who transfer under the new agreement will be automatically considered for certain scholarships and grants offered at Virginia Wesleyan, and will otherwise enjoy the same rights and responsibilities as other Virginia Wesleyan students.

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Get caught in the FishNet

Get caught in the net – the FishNet that is.

The Alumni Association has officially launched its new online community just for Virginia Wesleyan alumni that allows them to stay connected with each other and the College. The service is free, and like other popular online communities, this exciting feature will allow people miles away to stay in touch without ever having to leave their personal computers.

The idea came up as emerging technology has changed the way people communicate over the years, and colleges were having great success with online communities, says Director of Alumni Relations Beth Clarke '98.

"Alumni are often looking to reconnect with fellow classmates, and they contact the Alumni Office to assist them with locating their lost friends," said Clarke. "By providing the alumni online community, we are seeking to make the process of connecting with other alumni easier than ever before."

The connection is easy and Marlin alumni are sure to enjoy modern technological features that are just a click away. Utilizing a simple interface, individuals of all ages can post alumni announcements such as weddings, births and employment updates, search alumni profiles and attach a resume for networking opportunities.

"The best advantage is that alumni can search for classmates' contact, business and club/organization affiliations through both simple and advanced search options," Clarke said. This means less time searching and more time making connections with classmates.

Approximately 7,000 alumni are included in the online community. Profiles are visible to others and users have control over what personal information is displayed.

"The Alumni Association hopes that FishNet will encourage more alumni than ever before to stay active with and take pride in their alma mater," she said. And although the program may just be beginning, there are endless possibilities.

"There are many opportunities for FishNet to grow in the future," said Clarke. "The Alumni Association would love to add additional networking features, such as opportunities to volunteer as a mentor for current VWC students or opportunities for social networking similar to other popular Web sites."

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Birdsong Community Service Leadership Award Recognizes Leader of Winter homeless shelter

Last January, the Hunger and Homelessness group of the Student Outreach Coordinators (SOC) program, in partnership with the Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless, converted the Cunningham Multi- Activity Center of the Jane P. Batten Student Center into a shelter for the homeless for one week. The shelter proved to be an extremely powerful experience and exceeded the expectations of everyone involved when it brought together people from all over campus to befriend some of the area's most fragile citizens. At Honors Convocation in May, Felecia Kiser '09, of Staunton, Va., the student outreach coordinator for Hunger and Homelessness, was recognized for her extraordinary leadership with the Birdsong Community Service Leadership Award.

This award is given periodically to the selfless student who demonstrates extraordinary leadership in envisioning, voluntarily planning and implementing a service project that inspires other students to engage in hands-on experiences that change lives. The award is named after George and Sue Birdsong, of Suffolk, Va., who helped create the Office of Community Service at Virginia Wesleyan nine years ago. Kiser is the first recipient.

Kiser and another student, Nuni Rae, worked closely with Diane Hotaling, director of community service, and Dr. Kathy Stolley, associate professor of sociology, to lead nearly 100 volunteers in preparing for the overnight guests, providing meals, activities, showers and a place to rest for about 60 guests each night.

"College students have been known to serve the homeless population, but it is indeed rare for them to welcome this community into their home for a week!" said Hotaling. "Felecia deserves our sincere gratitude for her vision and leadership in bringing the shelter to us and managing it with such care."

Kiser was also recognized by her peers at the annual Leadership Awards Ceremony when she was awarded Volunteer of the Year and Program of the Year for the shelter.

A paper about the Winter Shelter, authored by Stolley, Kiser, Rae and Hotaling, was presented in August to the American Sociological Association.

In addition, Portsmouth Volunteers for the Homeless Board of Directors invited volunteer Heidi Watkins '07 to serve a three-year term after she faithfully supported the organization following her campus shelter experience.

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Artisans Expo to benefit Adult Studies Program

Virginia Wesleyan will hold a Scholarship Fine Arts and Craft Expo to benefit the Adult Studies Program.

The juried event will feature fine arts, hand crafts, pottery, art glass, fiber arts, photography, jewelry, quilts, woodcrafts, metalwork, leather, decorative arts, mixed media and more!

The Artisans Expo is open to the public, and all proceeds benefit the new Adult Studies Scholarship Fund, designed to give adult students an additional option for financial assistance. Scholarships will be awarded on a need/merit basis. For more information, visit www.vwc.edu/admissions/asp/ or call 757.455.3263.

Save the Date! November 3-4, 2007

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Key to the Future Campaign

Progress on Goal as of July 2007

The Key to the Future Campaign will help fund the College's vision to become a Phi Beta Kappa-caliber college. Of the $45.9 million raised 71 percent of the $65 million goal, 14 individuals have made gifts of $1 million or more, 185 Campaign Partners have made gifts of $10,000 or more and a total of 5,591 donors are supporting the Campaign, including alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, corporations, foundations, churches and civic clubs.

Leading Donors

• Vince and Suzanne Mastracco, of Virginia Beach, Va., gave a $1.3 million current and estate plan gift, part of which established an endowed international scholarship to provide support both for Wesleyan students studying abroad and foreign students studying at the College.
• The Virginia United Methodist Annual Conference's cumulative giving during the Campaign surpassed $1 million to the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence. BIRDSONG COMMUNITY SERVICE LEADERSHIP AWARD RECOGNIZES LEADER OF Winter homeless shelter
• Roy E. Hendrix, of Virginia Beach, Va., gave a $1,249,874 current and estate plan gift to underwrite the Roy Hendrix Endowed Business Scholarship and support the Platinum Green Laboratory Science Building.
• An estate gift from Peter Pruden, Jr. (deceased) of $855,000 has created the Peter and Phyllis Pruden Endowed Scholarship, the second largest endowed scholarship at the College. The Scholarship provides support to a student majoring in English. Pruden Hall on campus is named for his father, Peter Pruden, Sr.
• Jacklyn Pearce, of Silver Springs, Md. and wife of the late Raymond D. Pearce, Jr., made a current and estate plan gift totaling $643,000 in memory of her husband. The gift will support campus modernization and the naming of the Raymond D. Pearce Hospitality Suite in the Jane P. Batten Student Center.
• O.L. and Carol Everett, of Virginia Beach, Va., made gifts totaling $527,300. The Everetts gave $400,000 to establish the Everett Athletic Endowment that will strengthen the athletic program, enhance the competitiveness of its student athletes, and allow the College to recruit and retain the best Division III athletes and coaches.
• Virginia Foundation for Independent Colleges' (VFIC) giving to the Annual Fund for Academic Excellence and other campus programs during the Campaign surpassed $476,010. The VFIC, a nonprofit, fundraising and programmatic partnership of colleges and supporting corporations, individuals and foundations, is dedicated to supporting 15 small, private liberal arts colleges and universities in Virginia.
• H.S. "Ab" Abernathy, of Virginia Beach, Va., made gifts totaling $340,827 to the Abernathy- Eason Endowed Scholarship, which provides assistance to a student preparing for a career as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church. He also made a gift for the addition of books to the Hofheimer Library Collection.

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Green Matters

President's Environmental Issues Council

President Billy Greer awards the first annual President's Environmental Challenge Grant and joins higher education leaders nationwide to fight global warming.

Since creating the President's Environmental Issues Council (PEIC) in the summer of 2005, President Greer has continued to lead the charge in changing habits at Virginia Wesleyan, with the ultimate goal of making the College a more environmentally-friendly place.

Environmental Challenge Grant

In May, President Greer and the PEIC awarded the first President's Environmental Challenge Grant to Mr. Philip Guilfoyle, associate professor of art, for his proposal to work with his students to build a solar thermal heat exchanger to heat the ceramics lab using solar power.

Thirteen proposals were submitted to the PEIC by Wesleyan students, faculty and staff members. The committee was especially impressed by the creativity of Guilfoyle's project and the ways that it sought to improve energy efficiency, save money, involve students and link environmental ideas across the liberal arts.

Guilfoyle received a $500 prize for his concept and $2,000 toward implementation of the proposed solar thermal heat exchanger.

American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment

By signing the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment in June, President Greer joined more than 250 other college and university presidents in formally committing to sharply reduce and eventually eliminate all of the College's global warming emissions. President Greer also pledged to accelerate the research and educational efforts to enable society to re-stabilize the earth's climate.

"Global warming is a defining challenge of our time," said President Greer. "It's a real problem, and we need to take serious action today to stop adding global warming pollution to the atmosphere. Virginia Wesleyan is committed to leading the way."

President Greer and the PEIC will create a comprehensive institutional action plan to move toward climate neutrality. In addition, in the short term Virginia Wesleyan will immediately take the following actions:

• Adopting green standards for buildings;
• Requiring ENERGY STAR certification for products purchased by the College;
• Encouraging public transportation through the Marlin Express; and
• Purchasing energy from renewable sources, whenever possible.